August 21, 2019

South Kivu: Enhanced Ebola control measures at the Kavimvira border

The number of people leaving the DRC to Burundi by post Kavimvira has increased from 800 to 1300 per day since last weekend, said Tuesday, August 20 the head of the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) in Kavimvira. Ebola virus disease control systems have been strengthened in this role.

Travelers from the Congolese territory of Mwenga, who have recently experienced difficulties on their way to Rwandan territory, have headed for the Congolese-Burundian border from Kavimvira to Gatumba.

The migratory flow has increased, confirms the head of the DGM in Kavimvira, evoking long queues observed these days at the exit counters in the morning.

To prevent the occurrence of Ebola, a new handwashing device was installed for vehicle drivers, in addition to the old one that was made available to passengers and other travelers. However, the border health postmaster, Jonas Mafresi Mwanawabene, says control is fraught with difficulties.

"We need a thermal camera, devices that are well suited. We have a hand washing water problem from REGIDESO to be able to conduct this activity well. And the vaccine is not yet available in Kavimvira for the personnel of the border health post, the DGM, the police and the army."

During his visit to Uvira last week, the acting Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, in charge of protection and operations, François Grignon, had expressed the concern of the international community on both cases.

"Of course, I would say an emergency that needs to be addressed first. And we support as best we can with the coordinator of the Ebola response the authorities of the province to prevent any spread of the epidemic in South Kivu," he said.

An IOM team is expected at the Kavimvira border to support Congolese services in the prevention of this disease.

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The number of people leaving the DRC to Burundi by post Kavimvira has increased from 800 to 1300 per day since last weekend, said Tuesday, August 20 the head of the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) in Kavimvira. Ebola virus disease control systems have been strengthened in this role.

Travelers from the Congolese territory of Mwenga, who have recently experienced difficulties on their way to Rwandan territory, have headed for the Congolese-Burundian border from Kavimvira to Gatumba.

The migratory flow has increased, confirms the head of the DGM in Kavimvira, evoking long queues observed these days at the exit counters in the morning.

To prevent the occurrence of Ebola, a new handwashing device was installed for vehicle drivers, in addition to the old one that was made available to passengers and other travelers. However, the border health postmaster, Jonas Mafresi Mwanawabene, says control is fraught with difficulties.

"We need a thermal camera, devices that are well suited. We have a hand washing water problem from REGIDESO to be able to conduct this activity well. And the vaccine is not yet available in Kavimvira for the personnel of the border health post, the DGM, the police and the army."

During his visit to Uvira last week, the acting Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, in charge of protection and operations, François Grignon, had expressed the concern of the international community on both cases.

"Of course, I would say an emergency that needs to be addressed first. And we support as best we can with the coordinator of the Ebola response the authorities of the province to prevent any spread of the epidemic in South Kivu," he said.

An IOM team is expected at the Kavimvira border to support Congolese services in the prevention of this disease.